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Original poster

If you are apple shaped what do you wear that flatters your spare tyre?

36 replies

springlambkin · 15/04/2011 17:00

Am trying to lose the stone I put on with my two pregnancies.

I've always been very apple shaped - not much in the way of hips, slim legs, wide shoulders and fat belly Sad

I'm desperate to find something that doesn't show my muffin top. Has anyone got a solution to this? I find if I wear dreses that skim I look pregnant as look as though I'm fat all the way from my boobs down.

I like wearing jeans and vests but vest material seems to be so thin and clingy these days. Either that or the vests are too tight or not long enough.

Please help me, what should I be wearing? And can anyone sugges the best jean cut to disguise a spare tyre?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Millie1 · 15/04/2011 17:02

Watching with interest!

lowercase · 15/04/2011 17:07

shortish square shaped dresses, cotton skims better than jersey

shaped, fitted shirts that sit on your natural waist

fitted above knee length shorts or skinny capri

maxi dress, fitted bust

cropped boleros, waistcoats and jackets

Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 17:12

Thanks lowercase. I like wearing skirts, but really struggle to find my natural waist! Either they sit up at waist height and are too tight, or they slide all the way down and hang off my hips.

OP posts:
lowercase · 15/04/2011 17:26

stay away from jersey type material, unless v good quality.
go for structured, seamed, tailored pieces.

think accentuate good points, rather than, disguise bad points.

you could prob do linen / cotton shirt dresses rather well?

if you are not too busty, try block coloured shifts with square and boat necklines.

know what you mean about the skirt thing.

TheVisitor · 15/04/2011 17:29

I love tunic style tops with high cut bootcut jeans. They hide my cake shelf rather well. Also, make sure your bra fits really, really well, as it can deflect from your tummy when your boobs are in the right place!

Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 17:29

Thanks lowercase, that's helpful.

What do you think of this? Does it look like its trying too hard to cover tummy? here

I have some city shorts I could wear it with, or cropped jeaNS?

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Gillybobs · 15/04/2011 17:31

I layer vest tops, I often wear a tummy control vest from marks and Spencer (in white or black) with a more stylish detailed vest over the top. Then add a cropped jacket or cardi when its cooler, definitely creates the illusion of a waist.

I also quite like blouses with an elasticated hem, means there is enough fabric around the tummy area not to cling

Light knitted or cotton waistcoats over vests or t shirts also take the focus away from my midriff

Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 17:32

thANKS thevisitor and gillybobs, some good ideas.

I did actually have a couple of vests with poppers, like old style bodies from the 80s Blush

Complete faff to wear but gave me a really clean line under tops. May dig them out...

OP posts:
Gillybobs · 15/04/2011 17:35

Ooo be careful with those, they can really flatten your boobs which is never a good look. Try these from M&S, honestly cant live without them..here

Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 17:36

Ah, I've got those gillybobs, but they just roll up over my tummy and end up halfway up my torso. I think my muffin top is too much of a challenge for them Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 17:37

Is it becoming obvious that this is something of a lifelong challenge of mine Grin

OP posts:
lowercase · 15/04/2011 17:38

i would go for something a bit lengthier and wear as a dress (or this with leggings/crop leggings/nothing if your legs are fab) or something a bit shorter to wear with shorts or jeans as you have described.

be aiming for the hem to sit between navel and crotch.

you could wear a flimsier material if you had higher waisted jeans as visitor does.

next do a high waisted jean thats not too £££

fwiw, angelia jolie is an apple im told.

Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 17:40

I've got the Next high waisted jeans too Blush As I say, something of an ongoing mission.

You're right abut that top lowecase, I think it needs something very slimline under it -crop leggings would work, will try that.

OP posts:
Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 17:40

THank you Smile

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blossoming · 15/04/2011 17:49

I've had the same problem with tummy control vests, so I go the other way, and wear big hourglass shaping pants that come up to my bra line. I wear skinny jeans or jeggings (well the bonus is we have good legs, no?!) Then I can wear long sleeve t shirts at least! My skinny jeans are J Brand 912, and come to about 1 inch below navel.
This year I am going to try this look. Basically a tight fitting camisole, with a loose long line tunic vest on top.
I think shirts are really good on us too, and I like the utitlity shirt in navy that Oasis have online (couldn't link, and couldn't find it in the shop either).
As for loose fit tops, Jigsaw are cutting everything really generous at the moment. They have tops with elasticated waists, but are a bit see - through, and I got this t shirt yesterday in white which drapes nicely. Also see through, so I have a hanro cami underneath.

SomersetBelle · 15/04/2011 17:53

I'm apple shaped and this dress is very flattering. It has a fullish skirt which balances me out, and the shirring waist just works.

I have it in two different prints.

I also tend to wear tunics and leggings, or shortish dresses to take the focus off my non-waist onto my good legs, usually with a slim belt (not tight). Tried on this today and lovely, much more flattering than it looks in picture.

Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 17:53

Ooh, thanks blossoming, where did you get your big pants from?

I have to admit, it took me a long time to gather up the courage to get rid of my post c-section granny knickers as I loved how far they came up and covered my tummy!

I've been looking at that look too - just wondered if the tunic would skim enough? Worried abourt clinging.

OP posts:
SomersetBelle · 15/04/2011 17:54

Oh I would second blossoming about Jigsaw at the moment - everything I tried on there recently was very flattering. I could have spent an absolute fortune.

Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 18:03

Hmm, jigsaw sounds good but I can't afford it right now. Just been made redundant Sad

OP posts:
lowercase · 15/04/2011 18:08

ebay?

SomersetBelle · 15/04/2011 18:24

Bought this too the other day which suits my figure, if you like florals!

I find this sort of dress gives the illusion that I have hips.

blossoming · 15/04/2011 18:28

My big pants were Charnos hourglass pants. They don't do them any more but these are similar. Still not cheap at £10, and that's with 50% off, but I wouldn't be without mine. And the ones that come up to the navel I find are hopeless and roll down.
Sorry you were made redundant. I'm sure everywhere's doing similar stuff. My favourite cropped jeggings from M&S last year are a brilliant bottom layer. I don't know if anyone's doing them this year (wails).

blossoming · 15/04/2011 18:31

Woo hoo! here they are again!! I can't recommend them highly enough. They completely distract from the tummy area by showing gorgeous legs instead! (Obviously we're talking floaty tops, crotch and bum covering).

blossoming · 15/04/2011 18:32

False hope. No sizes left. I am now sulking!

Original poster
springlambkin · 15/04/2011 19:31

Ooh, thanks blossoming, I may try the knickers.

Love those cropped jeggings, sadly I'm not a size 6 either Sad Will look for something similar though

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